With the industry's largest annual exhibition less than a month away,
now’s the time to get an advance look at what exhibitors will be featuring at
this year’s GlassBuild America. Don’t miss
our special online preview coverage before you head to Atlanta…read more

Attention Exhibitors! WDweekly and Window & Door plan continuing coverage right up to the event. Contact the editors now with late-breaking product news, special plans for the event and more.

According to the NAHB Research Center, two major trends have emerged in today's
weak new construction market. Builders continue to strive to (1) reduce
new home production costs and (2) increase value to homebuyers.
Pointing to its 2009 Annual Builder Practices Survey, conducted early
this year, the organization suggests that builders see bathrooms as one
of the key areas to increase perceived value.

Despite pressures
on builders to reduce the price of homes, upscale bath features have
seen steady growth over the past thee years of its survey, NAHB
Research Center officials report. Granite countertops have moved from
the kitchen into the bathroom and chrome fixtures have lost
considerable market share to more upscale options like nickel and
bronze.

More often than not, I hear how builders are trying to
beat up window and door suppliers to "reduce home production costs,"
but I couldn't help but wonder, is are industry seeing any trends in
upgrades and options that "increase value to homebuyers"? That's my
poll question of the week, and of course I'd like to hear from you. Let me know what upgrades you see builders going for.